A physician employment contract deadline can create intense pressure, especially when an employer says they “need a decision this week.” Many physicians worry that asking for more time could cost them the job, but rushing into a contract can lead to serious financial and professional consequences. Before you sign, it’s critical to understand what these deadlines really mean, what rights you have, and how to protect yourself through proper contract review and negotiation.
What a Physician Employment Contract Deadline Really Means
Many times a potential employer will give a physician an offer letter (or, in extreme cases, a full employment contract), and inform the physician that a response is required in a very short timeframe.
In most cases, this is a false deadline. Generally, a physician employment contract deadline is an attempt to get a commitment from the physician. In most cases the purpose of the “deadline” is to assure the physician is serious about the position, and isn’t just “shopping” multiple offers.
Sometimes the false deadline is a ruse so the physician falls for the line that the document presented is “our standard physician employment contract” that by implication cannot be changed.
Given the time and money that employers spend to recruit physicians, a “deadline” rarely means that the offer will not be available beyond the date given.
How to Respond to a Physician Employment Contract Deadline
First of all, you should appreciate the implication of a physician employment contract offer with a deadline – they have decided that they want you! The employer has invested considerable time and money in picking you. Although there may be a “#2 choice”, you are the one they want.
After competing their entire lives, many physicians feel they need to continue to compete for this position. In fact, if the employer has made an offer, the competition is effectively over, and you have won. Now you just need to ensure that the offer is reasonable.
I always counsel my clients that they should inform the potential employer that they are excited about the offer, and hope that this position will be where they spend their career. Because it is important to you, you intend to invest in an attorney to review the document. Unfortunately (through no fault of yours) the attorney is unable to meet that deadline. Having done this for over 40 years, and reviewing thousands of physician employment contract reviews, I don’t recall a single instance where the employer stuck to the “deadline.”
If you’re facing a physician employment contract deadline and want experienced legal guidance before signing, you can start your review here. We can also provide a free consultation to talk about how we can help.
